UC developer sentenced to five months
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced on Tuesday that Shimon Haber, a real estate developer, was sentenced today to five months in prison and five months of home confinement for conspiring to launder money for political contributions to a Union City official in exchange for official approvals.
Haber, 34, of Brooklyn, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money to conceal and promote unlawful activity.
The charges and sentencing resulted from a two-track undercover investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation into political corruption and international money laundering which resulted in charging 44 individuals in criminal complaints on July 23, 2009, many of whom were involved in Hudson County politics.
According to a press release, in addition to the prison term and home confinement, Haber was ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay a fine of $4,000.
WNY police crack down on drugs
Arrests for drug activity in the West New York have increased over the past couple of months as the police department continues to work on quality of life issues in the town.
“I am proud of the work the community and police department is doing,” said Police Director Albert Bringa last week. “It shows that we’re working as one on these quality of life issues.”
Last week, police arrested Miguel Alonso, 54, at his home where he was allegedly manufacturing crack, according to Bringa.
Police confiscated 239 Oxycontin pills, one large bag of cocaine, five medium bags of cocaine, 45 bags of a rocky substance believed to be crack, and two medium-sized bags containing marijuana during an undercover drug raid operation, according to Bringa.
Prior to Alonso’s arrest, WNY police had made 10 drug arrests within six days.
One man Alan Arias, 20, was arrested after police spotted a machete in his car. Prior to transporting him to police headquarters on the weapons charge, an officer also discovered six bags of suspected marijuana in the car.
Carlos Sanchez, of North Bergen, was arrested after police patrolling on Hudson Avenue saw him allegedly make a number of drug transactions.
According to reports, when he was stopped and questioned by officers he turned over five bags of a white rocky substance that later tested positive for cocaine.
Sanchez was charged with possession of crack cocaine and contempt of court for an outstanding warrant from Ocean County, according to reports.
Three North Bergen teens were also arrested in West New York and charged with possession of marijuana after undercover cops patrolling near Bergenline Avenue saw them allegedly smoking a “blunt” cigarette and confiscated two plastic bags of suspected marijuana from them.
The juveniles, ages 14, 15 and 16, were released to their parents, according to published reports.
Five adults were also arrested and charged with possession of marijuana: Jason Walker, 24; Alfredo Jara, 24; Jonathan Maldonado, 25; Alex Ferreira, 27; and Francisco Espaillat, 20.
Bringa said that many of the recent arrests were made as a result of tips called in to the department’s community hotline, (201) 295-5047, the same hotline which netted a slew of prostitution arrests earlier this year.
As of press time arrests for prostitution related activity since the beginning of the year were up to 56.
UC revealed in pictures
Union City will be celebrating its 85th Anniversary with “Union City in Pictures,” a photo exhibit and book release, on June 1 at 6 p.m. at the Union City Art Gallery at City Hall, 3715 Palisade Ave.
The photo exhibit will feature over 120 poster-size photos of Union City, past and present, including historic photos compiled by City Historian Gerard Karabin and Associate Historian Jane Pedler, as well as modern photos taken by Lucio Fernandez.
The book, “Union City in Pictures” by Lucio Fernandez, details the Union City of today from its beautiful architecture, to its parks, businesses, and most importantly, its people.
The event will feature live music by the Alan Quinn Orchestra, free copies of the book “Union City in Pictures,” and refreshments.
Admission is free and everyone from the community is invited to attend.
West New York schedules Town Meeting
Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega and the West New York Commissioners will hold a town meeting on June 1 to update residents on improvements being made around town and on additional matters. Everyone is strongly urged to attend. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Salon Amistad, 6016 Adams St.
Kearny Marsh clean-up to be held on National Trail Day Weekend
The N.J. Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS) will be sponsoring a two-hour clean-up at the Kearny Marsh on June 6 at 10 a.m. The trails will be cleaned by foot and the marsh by canoe.
Canoes, paddles, life vests, trash bags, and water will be supplied, but participants should bring their own weed clippers and work gloves.
The group will meet at the northeast corner of the Gunnel Oval off Schuyler Avenue at 10 a.m. Those who wish to carpool can meet at the visitors’ parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst at 9:40 a.m.
Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. To RSVP, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or (201) 636-4022.